Technical Sciences 16(3), 2013, 211–220

BIOMASS AS A RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY

Paulina Drożyner1, Wojciech Rejmer1, Piotr Starowicz2,

Andrzej Klasa3, Krystyna A. Skibniewska1
1
Chair of Foundations of Safety
2
Chair of Food Biotechnology
3
Chair of Agricultural Chemistry and Environmental Protection
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Received 27 May 2013; accepted 30 September 2013; available on line 30 September 2013

K e y w o r d s: biogas, methane, energy dedicated crops, renewable energy.

Abstract

In this paper state of art on known and potential biomass sources is reviewed. The review will
consider energy dedicated crops and waste types that are already applied for clean energy purposes as
well as potential ones. The resources can be applied for biofuels, bioethanol, methane, hydrogen
production by means of various processes (methane fermentation, pyrolysys etc). The environmental
and economical benefits of biomass application as a renewable energy source are also described.

Introduction

Rapid industrial progress has caused sudden increase of energy consump-

tion. This phenomenon is especially visible in developing countries. Traditional
methods of energy production were based on fossil fuels (mostly oil and gas),
which caused consequences in form of excess emission of greenhouse gasses
(ZIEMIŃSKI, FRĄC 2012). Industrial revolution and civilization development led
to burdensome climactic changes. According to scientific research the 2oC rise
of average temperatures can lead to extinction of plants and animals. Climate
warming causes many environmental problems such as: floods, hurricanes,
drought, tropical cyclones, erosion of coast beaches, increase of sea level (which
leads to submersion of islands and lowlands), and problems in drinking water

Corespondence: Paulina Drożyner, Katedra Podstaw Bezpieczeństwa, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-

-Mazurski, ul. Heweliusza 10, 10-718 Olsztyn, phone: +48 89 524 56 12, e-mail:
d.paulina@poczta.onet.pl
212 Paulina Drożyner et al.

supply for humans and animals (SHUIT et al. 2009). In order to decrease the
above climactic problems, consumption of fossil fuels and increase energy
efficiency two types of actions were undertaken – development of energy
saving programs, and research on renewable energy sources. Energy from
renewable sources although more expensive in production then conventional
energy has many advantages. It leads to reduction of carbon emission to
atmosphere, it is compatible with rules of balanced development, it reduces the
dependence on fossil fuels and is not as dangerous as atomic energy (BANOS et
al. 2011). According to SAYNIGH (2012) we distinguish following renewable
energy sources: solar radiation, wind, water and ocean currents, biomass,
biofuels, geothermal sources and hydrogen.
Poland as a member of European Union is obligated to adjust to European
energy policy. Currently the use of renewable energy in relation to other
countries is insufficient. In Energy from renewable sources 2011
(http://www.stat.gov.pl) report the predictions are that energy produced from
renewable sources should be 15% of overall energy consumption until 2020. On
Figure 1 the percentage of renewable sources energy consumption to overall
usage in UE and in Poland in 2002-2010 period. It visualizes how far Poland is
in comparison to UE countries considering renewable energy development.

Fig. 1. Percent of energy obtained from renewable sources in UE and Poland in 2002–2010 period
Source: Główny Urząd Statystyczny. Portal Informacyjny, on line: http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus
 Biomass as a Renewable Source of Energy 213

Biomass as energy source

Biomass is one of the most promising alternative energy sources, because

similar to that of carbon neutrality and availability from multiple sources (LIM
et al. 2012). According article 2 of 25th of August 2006 law on biocomponents
and liquid biofuels biomass consists of: solid or liquid substances of plant or
animal origin, which undergo biodegradation from products, waste and left-
overs of agricultural and forest production, and their products processing
industry and parts of other wastes which undergo biodegradation, especially
agricultural raw materials. According to DODIĆ et al. (2012) biomass after
partial processing can be in solid state (briquettes, pellets), liquid (biodiesel,
biomethanol and bioethanol) or gas (biogas, syngas and hydrogen). Since
mastering fire biomass was used for energy production in burning process and
has been used since then, especially in third world countries example: Tan-
zania or Ethiopia, where 90% of energy originates from biomass (KELLY-YONG
et al 2007). The most favorable from the balanced development point of view is
biomass processed to liquid fuels, because the highest energetic efficiency can
be achieved this way (SUNTANA et al. 2009). Biomass can be processed by
means of: thermo-chemical methods to liquid fuels, gasses (carbon oxides
methane), or pyrolysis where hydrogen is the final product.
Biomass can be also processed by biotechnological means. Through fermen-
tation of oily plants biodiesel is produced, which can be used in standard diesel

Fig. 2. The contribution of solid biomass, wind and water to electric energy in Poland in 2006–2010
Source: Główny Urząd Statystyczny. Portal Informacyjny, on line: http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus.
214 Paulina Drożyner et al.

and gas engines, after minimal modifications. Through fermentation of mu-

nicipal waste such as post breading waste exp. manure the biogas with
relatively high content of methane can be obtained (ZAGORSKIS et al 2012). This
proves high biomass potential as an energy source which can replace conven-
tional fuels in the near future (DEMIRBAS 2008). Biomass is a clean renewable
energy source, which can greatly improve the environment, economics and
energetic security. Biomass application as an alternative energy source is
beneficial for developing countries because of availability of local raw materials
and employment of local labor for its production and processing (DEMIRBAS
2008).
In Poland biomass is getting more and more popular as electric energy
source, and is dominant to water and wind energy (Figure 2).

Biomass main sources

Energy dedicated willow (Salix viminalis)

One of the more and more popular biomass types is energy dedicated
willow. Two types are present in nature: tree type and bush type (more often
used for energy production). It is characterized by high resistance to soil
contaminations and quick growth (STOLARSKI 2003). Growth cycle of energy
dedicated willow is 3 to 5 years, thanks to which it is considered a fast
renewable source (TAHVANAINEN, RYTKONEN 1999). Its wood (unlike coal) does
not emit green house gasses in burning process and is characterized by low
emission of nitrogen, chlorine and sulfur to atmosphere. It has low accumula-
tion of heavy metals from soil, which makes it ideal for energetic purposes
(JAMA, NOWAK 2012). Application of energy dedicated willow for soil purifica-
tion purposes is not an ideal solution. Though the elimination of excess
nitrogen is satisfactory, the low soil purification in case of excess chlorine still
remains a problem, especially in dry climate where concentration of this
element may exceed toxic values (MARMIROLI et al. 2012).
Willow may find application in waste purification from small household
waste water disposal facilities. Water purification is achieved through usage of
nutrients from sewer sludge and simultaneous biomass for bioenergy produc-
tion. Household wastewater is almost ideal nutrient for willow plantation
fertilization. Part of the differences between plants need for nutrients and
content of substances in wastes is neutralized by the soil. Household waste-
water are more effective for fertilization because of lower concentration of
heavy metals than in industrial wastewater, which can inhibit plant and soil
microorganisms growth. Both of these processes lead to decrease of waste
 Biomass as a Renewable Source of Energy 215

utilization. Research on application of Salix viminalis grown on hydroponic

gravel for waste utilization published by MANT et al.(2003) had shown that
effectiveness of utilization of gravel alone is: 90% for BOD, 45.7% for nitrogen,
85.8% for phosphorus, and 6.9% for potassium. The plant increases this
effectiveness of 12% for nitrogen and 5% and 18% for phosphorus and
potassium.
JAMA and NOWAK (2012) investigated the application of energy dedicated
willow for utilization of sewage sludge. They are considered as wastes of high
organic compounds and nutrients concentration, thus good fertilizer material.
Sewage sludge are a inhomogeneous material, dependent on waste type,
applied technology and season of the year. Before application it needs to be
checked for the presence of pathogenic bacteria. When energy dedicated willow
is being fertilized it accumulates 20% of phosphorus in the first year and this
amount increases in time. The same goes for nitrogen but the amounts of
accumulated element differ with carried out research and vary from 20% (and
increase to 25% in following years) to 70% in the first year. Willow also
accumulates calcium (3.1%), magnesium (0.81%) and sulfur.
Wastes of freshwater fish breeding ponds are a great problem for breeders.
A huge amount of water is needed in order to minimize the concentration of
ammonium, which dissolves impurities from excrements and non digested
leftovers. Wastes are mostly waters with small concentration of contaminants.
A simple and ecological solution for waste utilization is watering of energy
dedicated willow and poplar plantations, because of a their higher water usage
in comparison to other types of trees. Research carried out in Canada in 2005
proved that willow and poplar can be intensively watered with water from
breeding ponds and decrease the sewage phosphorus income to natural
ecosystem (FILLION et al 2009).

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum Moenh)

It is a very promising plant for energy application. High photosynthesis

efficiency, high resistivity to water deficit, small fertilizer need, ease of
climactic and soil accommodation and high surface efficiency are its benefits.
The growth period is 3-5 months long in warm climate conditions (MATSAKAS,
CHRISTAKOPOULOS 2013, MEKI et al. 2013). Sorghum is energy dedicated plant
attractive for bioethanol production, because of high sugar concentration in its
juices, which undergo fermentation processes with ease and are transformed to
biofuel (WANG et al. 2013). Research published by REN et al. (2013) showed
that plantation of this plant are more profitable then cotton and corn consider-
ing lower energy intake and higher energy production yield.
216 Paulina Drożyner et al.

Giant miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus)

It is a high multiyear grass, with stems similar to reed (KLUDZE et al 2012).

Within a yearly time of plantation the plant grows 3.5 meters high. It is
harvested from January to March. It resistant to low temperatures with
maintenance of high CO2 assimilation and harvest yield (COPELAND et al.
2012). It harvest is 20 to 26 tons from hectare of space during the year (PARK et
al. 2012). Miscanthus production cycle is 15 years (VENTURI et al. 1999). The
plant aside from energy purposes can be used for reclamation industrially
degraded territories (HOWANIEC, SMOLIŃSKI 2011). Miscanthus is interesting
as energy dedicated crop because of its ability to decrease of anthropogenic
CO2. It is caused by the fact that the amount of CO2 which is brought to the
atmosphere during biomass burning will not exceed the amount that was
accumulated by the plant during photosynthesis. It needs very few nutrients,
thus can be grown on low nutrient soils. High resistance to varmints allows
planting without the need of pesticide use (ANGELINI 2009). Miscanthus can be
used for burning for heat production, for cellulose production, and for furni-
ture production as isolation material (ACAROGLU, AKSOY 2005).

Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus)

It is a multiyear bulbous plant of high energetic potential. It characterized

by quick growth and plantations do not require large amounts of fertilizers,
pesticides or water. It can be planted on soils of low agricultural usefulness. Its
energy production use is based on biofuel production, mainly bioethanol (LU et
al. 2011). Harvest is between 60 to 90 tons of fresh mass per hectare. Bulbous
of Jerusalem artichokes contain about 80% water, 15% carbohydrates, 1–2%
protein and small amount of fat. The main sugar of this plant is insulin, and in
smaller amounts saccharose, glucoses and fructose (MATIAS et al. 2011).

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)

This plant is no as common in Europe as those mentioned above, but is

highly popular in Asia (exp Malaysia). It is a south African plant. It is used for
production of edible oil from its fruits. The exploitation of the palm begins
3 years after its planting to 12–13 years maximum. In later periods the harvest
decreases to 25th year. Oil palms can be grown in all tropical countries, thus
their availability for biomass production increases. Biomass of oil palm is
mostly cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin (KELLY-YONG et al. 2007, MOHAM-
 Biomass as a Renewable Source of Energy 217

MED et al. 2011). The palm fruit contains of a seed surrounded by oily mass. Oil
is obtained in extraction process from cellulose mass of the fruit. Such oil can
be used for edible purposes, but seed oil is used for soap production (SHUIT et
al. 2009).

Agricultural wastes

In the process of agricultural production a lot of unused biomass is

obtained. Agricultural wastes can be divided according to agriculture branches
of their origin. Four basic groups can be outlined: wastes from field planta-
tions, waste from food processing, breeding and slaughter wastes. It consists
mainly of: manure, slurry, post slaughtering sediments leftovers from fruit
and vegetables, straw, stems, whey, molasses, dairy production waste and
others (CURKOWSKI et al. 2011). The problems with economically beneficial
energy production from agricultural wastes is their high accumulation costs,
and costs of transport from obtainment spot to utilization and storage point
(DODIĆ et al. 2010).
Agricultural biomass can be used in industry for direct burning, for
vaporization and fermentation. Vaporization process is very beneficial because
of gas and liquid fuels shortage, and as means of heat production (DODIĆ et al.
2010). Utilization of agricultural biomass is possible not only in temperate
climate but also in warmer countries. Malaysia is one of the largest producers
of palm oil, which causes the need of production waste utilization. Waste are
processed to animal fodder or fertilizer, but research are being done on biofuels
utilization (bioethanol) and their processing to electric energy (SHUIT et al.
2009).

Wastes of food and agriculture industry

Rapidly developing food and agriculture industry generates large amounts

of waste (peelings, seeds, mill cakes of juice and beer production, distillery
stillage, whey, mushroom substrates, fish waste, slaughter waste and others)
which are useful for renewable energy production (OLGUIN et al. 1995). This
problem is the source of interest for Chair of Foundations of Safety from
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. At the moment the research on
utilization of post beet pulp fermentation wastes from methane production are
being conducted. In the last few years beet pulp from a desirable resource have
become a troublesome waste. Work on utilizing them as fertilizers for energy
dedicated willow are in progress.
218 Paulina Drożyner et al.

Methane fermentation and biogas

Fermentation is a process of organic matter degradation by microorgan-

isms in non oxygen environment. One of the fermentation products is biogas,
which consists mainly of methane and carbon dioxide. In order to increase the
production yield multisubstrate fermentation can be conducted (WU 2007).
Fermentation processes are often utilized for stabilization of liquid and solid
waste (LUSTRATO et al. 2012). Biogas production from agricultural wastes,
animal excrements and municipal and industrial wastes is a potential alterna-
tive energy source for many countries. One cubic meter of biogas can produce
2.1 kWh electric and 2.9 kWh heat energy equivalent (ZIEMIŃSKI, FRĄC 2012).
In 20th century 90’s multiple benefits of biogas have been observed, as well as
multitude of biomass sources, which could have been utilized for production of
this resource (GUNASEELAN 1997). Such production is also one of utilization
methods for food industry wastes, such as sugar wastewater (OLGUIN et al.
1995). Biogas is not only methane and CO2, but also hydrogen. Hydrogen is
more and more often described as the fuel of the future, and methods of its
production are subject of many research. One of the sources of bio-hydrogen,
considering its high concentration with relatively low nitrogen rate, are sugar
industry and cellulose production wastes, as well as other wastes of high
carbohydrates concentration. The wastes from plant watering are also worth
consideration. Plants decrease the amounts of nitrogen, but wastes are still
a rich hydrogen source (KAPDAN, KARGI 2006). A interesting solution is
production of hydrogen from fermentation wastewater. Process is a two step
fermentation, which leads to production of hydrogen in the first phase and
production of methane in second phase. As substrate some of the algae like
Laminaria japonica (JUNG et al. 2012) can be utilized, but also, what is more
important from recycling point of view, food industry wastes (KIM et al. 2012).

Conclusions

With growing industrial development the need for energy increases. How-
ever because of growing environmental awareness in the society emphasis is
being put on acquiring more amounts of energy from renewable resources then
from not renewable ones. Biomass is an example of such energy sources. In
light of presented studies a large variety of biomass and potential for its
application for energy production purposes. It is possible to select energy
dedicated crop for given climate and soil type as well as proper waste
utilization. Considering this energy sources obtained during food – agricultural
production processes are perspective for clean energy production. Because of
Poland geographical location and need for energy sources diversification
 Biomass as a Renewable Source of Energy 219

biomass energy seems to be especially beneficial for north-east regions of

Poland.

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